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ELM Resources. Continuous improvement is a core principle at ELM, and as proof of that, a new version of ELMSelect is coming in March 2020! This new release focuses on ease of use and includes several new features that allow borrowers to make a more informed decision when selecting private student loans. Want to learn more? Contact us today at 866-524-8198 or visit www.elmresources.com.

This week on “Off The Cuff,” Justin, Megan, Jill, and Rachel delve into the Title IV implications of the Coronavirus on students in disrupted study abroad programs. At 10:43, Jill answers questions from members about whether the Department of Education (ED) will offer regulatory relief for universities and students. At 19:20, Megan talks about Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her defense of President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget proposal as it relates to higher education, and details a letter ED’s general counsel wrote on DeVos’ behalf defending her refusal to testify on a slew of issues from sexual assault on campus to student loan forgiveness. Rachel discusses welcome upgrades to the student-facing portion of the federal student aid website at 26:24, and the group wants to know: What food do you spend an exorbitant amount of money on?

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Thursday appeared before a House appropriations subcommittee to justify the Trump administration's fiscal year 2021 budget request, as it relates to education funding. The budget request, released earlier this month, made several policy proposals, including setting loan limits for certain students and parents and restructuring the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), and proposed slashing funding for — or completely eliminating — several federal student aid programs.

Only a few seats remain for this popular course that begins Monday, March 2. This eight-week NASFAA U Need Analysis and Professional Judgment online course blends these two topics to provide financial aid administrators with the skills and insight into making the best decisions in the interest of their students. NASFAA U faculty David Downing and Tonya Hsiung will be joined by Ashley Reich, vice president of student financial services at Liberty University, to teach the concepts and their application in a practical setting. Participants in the course will learn from each other, NASFAA U materials and course videos, and live interactive sessions. Don't miss out on this excellent opportunity. Register now.

Want to attend NASFAA 2020 in Las Vegas this summer, but not sure how to get your supervisor on board? NASFAA has created a toolkit of easily customizable letters and worksheets to help your manager understand the return they will see on this important investment in your professional development. Check out these resources today and register by May 1 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

Throughout February, our members from across the country went above and beyond spreading the word about Financial Aid Awareness Month by hosting events, games, and social media campaigns to engage students. This week, Illinois-based schools Waubonsee Community College and Western Illinois University invited students to learn about financial budgeting while spinning a wheel to win campus swag. Plus, the Community College of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania challenged its students to complete their FAFSAs and post a photo online to earn prizes, and the financial aid staff at Mid-Plains Community College in Nebraska handed out “dough” nuts to students along with information about financial aid and scholarships. While #FinAidFeb may be coming to a close, efforts to advocate about the value of financial aid remain as crucial as ever. Be sure to check out NASFAA's resources for more on how to make your voice heard.

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